MLB Player News

Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters Saturday that Rea is "likely" to start in Sunday's series finale against the Dodgers, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Rea served in the Brewers' rotation for the past two seasons, but after signing with the Cubs in January, he earned the spot on the 26-man roster as a long reliever. However, with Justin Steele (elbow) joining Javier Assad (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, the Cubs are turning to Rea to make some starts to give the starting rotation the five-day break it needs. Rea appeared in 32 regular-season games (27 starts) for the Brewers in 2024, posting a 12-6 record with a 4.29 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 135:43 K:BB across 167.2 innings.

Murphy went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs and a walk in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Rays.

Murphy got Atlanta on the board with a solo home run in the seventh inning and then tied things up with another blast in the eighth. Since making his season debut Tuesday, the 30-year-old has gone 5-for-15 with three long balls, six RBI and four runs scored across 18 plate appearances. It's a small sample, but early signs point to a potential bounce-back campaign if he can remain healthy.

Harris went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and a stolen base in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Rays.

Harris broke a ninth-inning tie with a two-run blast off Cole Sulser and also added his first steal of the season. The 24-year-old is off to a slow start overall, but he's tallied hits in six of nine April contests and continues to occupy the leadoff spot against right-handed pitching. On the year, he's hitting .231 with two home runs, five RBI, four runs scored and a stolen base across 58 plate appearances.

Lowe has been working through an upper respiratory infection, but he's expected to remain in the lineup as the Nationals' designated hitter in Sunday's series finale against Miami, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Lowe was scratched from the lineup Friday due to an illness, but he returned to action as the Nationals' DH in Saturday's 7-6 loss and went 0-for-2 with two walks and two RBI. The 29-year-old will remain in the starting nine in a non-defensive role Sunday and hopes to return to his usual spot at first base for Monday's series opener against the Pirates.

Doyle is out of Saturday's lineup against the Padres due to a quadriceps injury, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear when Doyle tweaked his quad, but the injury will cause him to be out of the Rockies' lineup for two straight games. The team hopes the issue will resolve over the next couple of days, but Doyle could still be available out of the dugout as a pinch hitter in the meantime. He has started the season slashing .321/.357/.547 with seven runs scored, three home runs and 12 RBI across 56 plate appearances.

Shaw is not in the Cubs' starting lineup against the Dodgers on Saturday.

Shaw will begin Saturday's contest in the dugout after going 0-for-9 with one run, three walks and three strikeouts over his last four games. Justin Turner will start at the hot corner and bat sixth against Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki.

Freeman was scratched from Saturday's lineup against the Padres due to an oblique injury, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Freeman was initially slated to start in center field, but he tweaked his oblique in the batting cage and will not be in the lineup for Saturday's contest. Mickey Moniak will start in center field and bat seventh against Padres southpaw Kyle Hart.

Moniak is starting in center field and batting seventh against the Padres on Saturday.

Moniak was initially left out of the lineup, but he'll end up starting in the outfield due to Tyler Freeman being scratched after Freeman injured his oblique in the batting cage, per Thomas Harding of MLB.com. Moniak has gone 2-for-11 with three runs, three walks and three strikeouts over his last five games.

Davis is starting behind home plate and batting ninth against the Reds on Saturday.

The Pirates recalled Davis from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, and he'll be the third catcher on the roster while Joey Bart manages a back injury. Davis was slashing .281/.343/.375 with three stolen bases and two RBI across 35 plate appearances in Triple-A before being called up to the majors.

Cruz (finger) is not in the Pirates' starting lineup against the Reds on Saturday.

Saturday marks the third straight absence for Cruz after he was hit on the finger by a pitch in Tuesday's contest against St. Louis. He could be available as a pinch runner, but Alexander Canario will draw the start in center field and bat sixth against Reds southpaw Andrew Abbott.